The Waynesburg University wrestling team went into this weekend’s John Summa Tournament at Baldwin Wallace University without several key athletes. With the team just one week away from the PAC Championships, head coach Ron Headlee opted to rest many of the team’s top performers, including freshman heavyweight Rocky McGeary.

“We’ve had some guys who’ve gotten in a lot of matches this  year,” Headlee said. “Some are dealing with nagging injuries and we want them to be at their best for the conference championships.”

Waynesburg finished tenth out of eleven teams at the tournament. Despite what might be considered a poor finish for the three-time defending PAC champions, Headlee was impressed with what he saw from his team.

“We weren’t so concerned with how the team finished,” Headlee said. “We mainly wanted to see where some of the guys were at.”

Headlee also made it clear that he isn’t worried about his men going forward.

“It’s a bit of a calculated gamble, but I don’t expect the guys to be rusty,” Headlee said. “I think this gives them a chance to reset, heal up and I expect us to get some really good practices in this week.”

Among the wrestlers who competed over the weekend were seniors Dillon Charlton and Dan Verhovsek. Both went 2-2 in their matches.

“Dillon and Dan have been impressive,” Headlee said. “This weekend both of them had really quality matches and we like where they’re at.”

The Yellow Jackets now turn their attention to next Saturday’s PAC Championships, hosted this year by Washington & Jefferson. Waynesburg will look to win their fourth consecutive title, which would make them the first PAC school to do so since Thiel College won nine straight  from 2000 to 2008.

A victory on Saturday would also give Headlee his eighth title in 12 seasons as the team’s coach. However, the veteran coach is always eager to credit his team for his personal success. 

“I think us winning is more about the [wrestlers] than it is about me,” Headlee said. “This year has been no different, it’s been a great team effort and everybody’s improving. If we continue to do that moving forward the winning will take care of itself.”